There are a few festivals taking place around NSW this July, starting with the NSWWC’s own Speculative Fiction Festival happening on the 22nd of this month. If you live further out from Sydney, you might want to check out the Southern Highlands Writers’ Festival in Bowral and all the panels taking place there, with more specific details included down below.
4 July: Meet Monica McInerney
The highly anticipated new blockbuster novel from the beloved author of The Alphabet Sisters and Lola’s Secret, this is a rich and highly entertaining story about family, love, lies and memories, and the true meaning of ‘home’. Rouse Hill Library, 7-8pm, $7.50.
7 July: Australian Graffiti
This is the debut of a remarkable young Australian writer. Disapol Savetsila’s play is an investigation of the migrant experience from the inside out – a touching and humorous insight into identity and belonging. Running all throughout July and beginning of August. Sydney Theatre Company, 7:30pm, $32.
15 July: Joyce Morgan in conversation
In her latest work, Martin Sharp – His Life and Times, Joyce explores the life of the charismatic, unconventional, unique and surprising Martin Sharp. In this richly told and beautifully written biography, Joyce captures the loneliness of a privileged childhood, the heady days of the underground magazine Oz, as well as the exuberant creativity of Swinging London and beyond. 2:45-3:45pm, The Highlands School of Performing Arts, $20.
18 July: Editing for Success Workshop with Siboney Duff
Got a manuscript and feeling overwhelmed as to what to do next? Siboney Duff will focus on the editorial process, teaching participants how to edit their work for clarity, narrative drive, reader engagement and publication. 9:30am-1pm, Bowral Library, $65. Ticket price includes morning tea.
20 July: Jane Rawson & James Bradley Author Talk
Jane Rawson and James Bradley talk about weird fiction and their new books, Rawson’s From the Wreck – a blend of historical fiction and sci-fi that explores humanity’s relationship with other species – and the first in Bradley’s ‘The Change’ trilogy, The Silent Invasion, a young adult science fiction novel set on an earth where nature has been dramatically altered. Newtown, 6:30pm, free.
21 July: Rice by Michele Lee
Michele Lee is an important emerging voice in contemporary Australian writing. Ambitious in form and idea, her observations on race, gender and power can be both sharp and tender. With Rice, Michele sets the personal politics of two women against the politics of global food production. Griffin Theate, 7pm, $35/$43. Showing from end of July throughout August.
20 July: Poets at the Petersham Bowl
This open mic night shines a spotlight on poetry but performances of other styles are invited as well. Short stories, anecdotes, comedy and acoustic music welcome. Petersham Bowling Club, 6:30pm, free.
21 July: Voices from the past
This all-day workshop will feature a range of speakers who will share their ideas and experiences in historical research and the creation and publication of stories. Come and participate in a lively discussion of historical projects and the transformative role these stories play in our communities. Orange, 10am-3:30pm, $35/$10.
22 July: NSWWC Speculative Fiction Festival
Get up close and personal with some of Australia’s finest spec fic authors this July, as Cat Sparks directs her second Speculative Fiction Festival. Alongside a genre-spanning program of panels, the popular kaffeekaltsches are back, giving attendees the opportunity to take part in intimate group chats with the likes of Sean Williams, Margo Lanagan, and Garth Nix. Rozelle, 10am-6pm, $60/$90.
31 July: Gail Kelly Literary Lunch
Join Dymocks for this very special event with Gail Kelly, the first female CEO of one of Australia’s big four banks, and one of our finest, most innovative thinkers on leadership and workplace culture. Gail will share the inspiring personal story of how she started as a Latin teacher and mother of four to become one of the world’s most prominent business people. Sofitel Wentworth Hotel, 12:30pm, $85/$100.